So... then what 3 countries would you choose? To me it seems Argentina, Peru and Brazil...

And what about the rest of the continents?

Tx again!

4.
Posted byGelli(Travel Guru 2457 posts) 11y
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To be honest, i'd also say that both your Indian sub continet and SEA section are optimistic for the time frame as well, unless you are just looking for whistle stop dashes through and seeing highlights. You will be spending a chunk of your time travelling rather than seeing stuff.

It is certainly possible to visit all the countries you list in the time you say, but it will be very rushed and you won't actually get to "see" much of any of the countries.

5.
Posted byGregW(Travel Guru 2635 posts) 11y
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Quoting Dem

So... then what 3 countries would you choose? To me it seems Argentina, Peru and Brazil...

Are you planning on flying around South America? Because, otherwise you are crossing completely from one side to the other of the continent.

As for what three I would recommend, it depends on what you want to see. All the places will have incredible things to see.

6.
Posted bydbchase53(Full Member 88 posts) 11y
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having done 2 RTW trips in recent years I would say you are trying to see WAY too many places in the time available

The slower you travel the more you will see

best

Andy

7.
Posted bydbchase53(Full Member 88 posts) 11y
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Hi David,Many of the places you are planning to travel to I have not visited so I can not really pass comment as to which are better relatively. However I will be as helpful as I am able. This is naturally very subjective but I shall tell you what I would do in your position:

First a practical matter: Try not to alternate between hot and cold climates. You have to carry a lot of exceess clothing and equipment and are more likely to pick up illness which will slow you down.

PAKISTAN perhaps)INDIANEPALBANGLADESH........................ 2 Months[ HUGE area to visit in 2 months - one quarter of the world's population live here (If you went exploring just 8 hours every day then to meet everyone you would have to shake hands with around 750 people per second for the whole two months! That's a lot of life) - I spent a month in one state of India (Kerala) as part of my first RTW trip and felt that there was plenty I left unexplored.SUGGESTION: India - 2 months]

MYANMARTAILANDIALAOSVIETNAMCAMBOYAMALASIASINGAPURINDONESIA......................... 2 Months and a half[You could easy spend a whole year in SE Asia alone - it is bursting with people, colour and cultureMyanmar - no commentThailand - Good hub for interegional travel - most interesting up North (Chaing Mai as a base for Doi Inthanon and Mae Hong Son loop)Laos - great scenery - most layed back place - simple - 'untouched'Cambodia - One of the foremost Wonders of the World in Angkor wat and the temples of the NW. Beautiful countryside and the nicest people you could ever wish to meet - Nice beaches also(speak to me about arrangements in Cambodia - I have an ethical tour company there)Malaysia - get to Borneo - magicalSingapore - plenty to see in a few days stopoverIndonesia - ?SUGGESTION: 2/3 days Bangkok, 2 weeks N Thailand, 3 weeks Cambodia - overland into Southern Laos, finish in Singapore]

CHINA (+TIBET).................... 1 Month and a half[no knowledge]

AUSTRALIA......................... 1 Month[East or west coast? - given your whole itinerary could probably cut down here. Australia is huge but much of it is barren and rather inaccessible - You can have great fun on eaither coast however]

NUEVA ZELANDA.................... 3 Weeks[Best scenery in the World - easy driving - make sure you are there in their Summer]

PACIFICO (still to decideif Fiji or Tahiti+Isla de Pascua)..3 Weeks[Go to Cook islands - Fly to rarotonga - catch air rarotonga to Aitutaki and stay in low key accommodation - one of the most eautiful places on earth]

CHILEARGENTINABOLIVIAPERUBRASIL............................. 2 Months and a half[Only travelled to Colombia/Equador myself but I imagine you would have great fun there for 2 1/2 months]

get yourself a Star alliance RTW ticket. pre set the itinerary but leave all the flights booked in the last few weeks of the year (aside from the first 1 or 2). Simnply bring the flights forward as you want to use them (free to change timings)

Total 11 months + 1 month for free to decide on the road.

8.
Posted byClanger(Full Member 202 posts) 11y
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MYANMARTAILANDIALAOSVIETNAMCAMBOYAMALASIASINGAPURINDONESIA......................... 2 Months and a half

Didnt go to MyanmarSpent 2months in Thailand, and still need more time to explore parts I'd love to visit.Laos - amazing unspoilt beautiful country, spent 3 weeks thereVietnam - different, diverse - spent 3 weeks thereCambodia - ah the best, fantastic country, lots to see and do, fabulous beaches, and lovely lovely lovely people...I wished I'd spent more time there (short of 3 weeks)Malaysia - didnt do it this trip (but have spent 4 days in Singapore before, and loved it)Indonesia - a must visit another time

I dont know how long you envisage spending in each place, two or three days by the looks of it. You will get tired very quickly, it looks like you will spend most of your trip getting places (travelling, hanging around on buses and in airports)

Less is more!

And giving yourself more time in Oz than NZ is criminal - I spent a month on each island, and wished I'd given myself more time!!!

[ Edit: Edited at Oct 15, 2006 1:11 PM by Clanger ]

9.
Posted bydbchase53(Full Member 88 posts) 11y
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Hi there David,

Further info: I would stick by the advice I gave in my detailed response at the time but add some further tips about timing and direction of travel.

Head Westwards not Eastwards:

Start in European Autumn (South America Spring), head across the Pacific to reach NZ in their mid Summer and Australia in late Summer. You can then get to SE Asia for the end of the dry season/ beginning of the rainy season (great thunderstorms to photograph) and finish off in India

This way you are never in a cold climate and can minimise clothing you take. Also the jet lag is much kinder heading Westwards.